Vikings watched Bortles but likely won't get chance to draft QB

Former Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles works out during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 23, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The highest-drafted quarterback in Vikings history came from Central Florida. Don't expect that record to be broken by another player from that school.

The Vikings have the No. 8 pick in the May draft. That's three spots ahead of where they took Daunte Culpepper out of Central Florida in 1999.

But the latest Knights star signal-caller might be long gone when Minnesota selects. That became even more apparent when Blake Bortles impressed scouts Wednesday in a pro day at the Orlando, Fla., school that was attended by Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, coach Mike Zimmer and offensive cocordinator Norv Turner.

Bortles already had been projected by a number of analysts as the No. 1 pick in the draft by the Houston Texans. He did nothing Wednesday to change that.

"He got rid of the ball very quickly with velicity and accuracy," ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski said on the air. "An outstanding day for Bortles. ... I would be really surprised if he's not the first quarterback taken in this draft."

Bortles' showing was in contrast to a lackluster performance by Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater during his pro day Monday. That has led to speculation that Bridgewater, once considered the leading candidate to be taken No. 1 overall, could slip to the Vikings at No. 8.

Three quarterbacks are expected to be drafted in the top 10. The third, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, has his pro day March 27.

The pro days mark the final public appearances for the quarterbacks before the draft, though all will have private workouts with some teams.

Also Wednesday, the Sacramento Bee reported that San Jose State quarterback David Fales said he has a workout scheduled this weekend with the Vikings. Fales is a possible candidate to be drafted after the first round.